Biography
Iyabode Ebunoluwa Olubowale (nee Daniel) was born on the 15th of February 1952 in Awe Oyo state to Pa Isaac Oladipo Daniel of 33, Rica Street Lagos and Mrs. Ogunike Daniel (nee Salako) from Awe in Oyo State, both of blessed memory. Originally, Pa. Daniel's family came from Iyege- Ekiti in Ekiti State and he was a great-grandson of late Pa. James Thomas Daniel of the Royal House in Iyege- Ekiti.
Ebunoluwa attended St. Andrews Demonstration primary school Oke Esinele Oyo, and later proceeded to Methodist Anglican modern school. After two years, Ebun got admission to Oladigholu Grammar and after that to Okeho Igana Grammer school in Oyo state where she finished her secondary education. In 1970, her family returned to Lagos and Ebun wanted to attend a nursing school but her father wanted her to be a bookkeeper, putting so much pressure on her because he was a qualified bookkeeper. She later qualified as a bookkeeper and her first job was at a company in Idumota as an account clerk. She joined G.L Galzer a subsidiary of Odua Company as a bookkeeper and then worked with Daily Times of Nigeria in Kakawa street. She later moved to Leisure services in the account section of Times Travel Agency.
Ebunoluwa was passionate about helping others and was involved in several voluntary organizations including the Girls Brigade. Since she was unable to qualify as a nurse, she picked an interest in social work and later joined the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA). She enjoyed her work so much, that she requested leave without pay for years to pursue a qualification in social work.
Iyabo met her husband Engineer Akinola Olaleye Olubowale through a mutual friend named Dora Alegbeleye. After a long time of courtship, they got married. The marriage was blessed with four children – Olaitan, Akinyemi, Temitope, Akintayo, and Grand Children.
In 1992, she took up an appointment with the Lagos State Government in the Ministry of Youth Sport and Social Development as a youth development officer. She worked in the Ministry until 2005 when she went on voluntary retirement.
Iyabo was a member of St. Michael Anglican Church Esiele Oyo where she was baptized. She joined Bishop Adelakun Howells Memorial church Surulere Lagos in 1970 where she did her confirmation. She later joined the Girls Brigade of the church and later became the captain. Furthermore, she went through training and was licensed as a lay reader in the church in 1974. She was an active member of the Anglican Youth Fellowship central choir under the leadership of the Late Revered Shokefun. Through the grace of God, she was ordained a Diocesan Lay Reader in 2010. Iyabo served God diligently and was an active member of the Anglican Christian Fellowship until her death.
Ebunoluwa was a peaceful woman who loved to reach out to people and help where she could. She was a hard worker and a good cook; she loved to cook for her family and the people around her. She loved to travel and enjoy herself.
Her death has left an emptiness in her family and in the lives of all who interacted with her during her lifetime. She would be sorely missed.